On the Helles beaches the British used a proportion of hired Greek labour, and an effort was now made by the lines-of-communication staff to obtain a corps of Maltese for Anzac. The men were raised, but on reaching Mudros a large number were found unwilling to face the danger. Some 200, however, under Captain Stivala and four other Maltese officers, volunteered to undertake the service, as did about the same number of an Egyptian labour corps. But neither Maltese nor Egyptians proved well suited for working under the conditions of Anzac. The following personnel were eventually obtained at various times for the work of the Anzac base:-

Sept.10&21. .AnsonBattalion (Roy. Nav.Div.). ... .84

Sept.15. .............Part of 37thFortressCoy., R.E........ .54

Sept.20. . ............1st Essex GarrisonBn.. .. ...........207

Sept.2 1t o28.Egyptian LabourCorps. .. ..........221

Sept.28. . ............Maltese Labour Corps. .. ............. 212

Nov.8. .. ........... 27th LabourCoy.,A.S.C.. .... .....539

This labour was not adequate for the works in hand, especially as winter approached and the weather grew more severe and the work heavier and more pressing. The Egyptians could not work in the cold, and the British labour company consisted of men who, though their spirit evoked the admiration of the other troops were hardly fitted for the work at Anzac. Recruited in Great Britain from those who were over age or otherwise incapable of more active service, they had expected to be employed in the docks at Alexandria or in similar surrounding. At Anzac their hardships were unnecessarily increased by the fact that both they and the Maltese were thoughtlessly allotted camp-sites on the northern side of Ari Burnu, in full view of the enemy post at Snipers' Nest. Here, housed in tents or in shallow shelter, they were subject to the fire of a machine-gun which played every night on the tracks and bivouacs in this area. During their first night two men are said to have been killed by this fire, and on subsequent nights others were hit. In spite of this special provision of labour the full quota for the works at the Anzac base was seldom if ever available. At the end of October the Chief Engineer, then Brigadier-General Leslie, asked that working parties from the divisions should again be employed on the engineering works, and his request was acceded to.

The following information was supplied by Steve Chambers (author of Suvla, The August Offensive, Anzac the Landing and Gully Ravine).

The 'Anson Battalion at Suvla & Anzac' was the subject of an article in Len Seller's magazine 'RND' No.6, Sept. 1998; see pages 464-478. Len's article was based upon the Ansons' War Diary and is worth tracking down.

At Suvla on 21st August there were Officers 7, Other ranks 458; and at Anzac, Officers 6, Other ranks 432.

"29th August 1915 – The men were now working in three shifts of 4 hours each in a system of 4 hours on and 8 hours off both day and night on West Beach [Suvla]. By this time it was becoming the principle beach. Each shift now comprised of 2 platoons containing 75 to 80 men.Water had to be indented for and was drawn in dixies, no water carts being then obtainable. The ration of water per man was set at one gallon.""30th August to 2nd September 1915 – Fatigues continued as before but the number of men being transferred to hospital now assumed large proportions, especially at Anzac. This was chiefly with bowel complaints and during the proceeding week some 30 men were hospitalized.""3rd September 1915 – Orders were received to shift bivouac in a few days from just west of West Beach to a site further inland next to 33rd Field Ambulance. Fatigues continued as normal.5th to 9th September 1915 – All available men employed in digging dugouts and constructing shelters in the new bivouac area but the normal fatigues also continued but with reduced numbers. However the following special duty men were supplied:2 Orderlies to Base Commandant A Beach5 Orderlies to M.L.Os on West Beach1 Clerk to M.L.O. on C Beach2 Water Clerks on C Beach1 Clerk to N.T.O. on West Beach"

Len's article finished on 20th October 1915. He makes the point that even though the battalion was not in the front line here, "taking note of replacements, one would have about a one in three chance of becoming a casualty or being hospitalized."

Brief History -Nelson Battalion (Joseph served with Nelson Bn from 1916).

5th Bn. 2nd RN Brigade 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915-Jan.1916

First landed at ANZAC Beachhead 29/4/15. Transferred to CapeHelles 13/5/15.

Mal you don't know how much this means to me and all the Longstaff family. This is the first time anyone beyound family knows of Joe and his time at Gallipoli. Thank you so much for all your efforts so far.
Joe's story will be in FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE, JULY ISSUE for anyone who wants to read it.

The following information has been correlated from information accquired and added to by Joseph Longstaff's Grand-nephew, Gallipoli Association member Rischard Longstaff. My thanks go to Richard for the information and the photograph.

Joseph Longstaff's service shows us the story behind the campaign and those who served at Gallipoli and went on who went on to serve in other theatres (many to die in those Theatres).

Simply by reading this young man's record one can see the effects that the war had on him and his health. The constant admissions to Hospital and return to front line duties.

Joseph apparently was a prominent subscriber to a local newspaper sending in reports of his war service and Richard is currently rearching this submissions.

2nd Bn. 1st RN Brigade 1914. During their retreat from Antwerp in Oct. 1914, the majority of Benbow Bn. crossed into Holland & were Interned for the Duration. A new Benbow Bn. was raised, but they remained in England when the RND sailed for the Dardanelles, finally joining the RND at CapeHelles 30/5/15. After the RND's massive losses at the 'Third Battle of Krithia" 4/6/15, the Benbow Bn. were chosen to be disbanded 12/6/15 (along with the Collingwood Bn. 8/6/15) to reinforce the five depleted Naval Battalions, Drake, Hood, Howe, Anson & Nelson. The Benbow Bn. suffered negligible losses on the 4th of June & along with Hawke Bn, were the only full strength RND Battalions left. However, the reason they were chosen for the 'chop' seems to have been based upon certain observations of the new 'Benbows' by senior officers. Suffice to say, those observations were premature & the ex-Benbows went on to serve in the Drake, Hood, Anson, Nelson & Howe Bns. with great distinction.

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